Adherence experts’ perspectives and experiences of educating healthcare
professionals on medication adherence: A qualitative study
Abstract
Aim: Medication non-adherence is a global health problem affecting
patients with numerous medical conditions. Training healthcare
professionals (HCPs) on managing the challenging issue of medication
non-adherence requires an evidence-based approach. Therefore, we aimed
to describe the perspectives and experiences of adherence experts on
educating HCPs about medication adherence in order to guide the content
and delivery of medication adherence education to HCPs. Methods:
Semi-structured interviews were conducted online, face-to-face, and via
phone. Interviews were video or audio recorded and professionally
transcribed. Data was coded line by line into the preliminary coding
framework and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results:
Fifteen adherence experts were interviewed between May 2022 and March
2023. Five major themes with subthemes were identified: enhancing
awareness among HCPs, seeing life through the patient’s lens,
communicating to build empathy and rapport, having a structured approach
to address individual patient behaviours, and delivering enriching and
targeted training. Conclusion: Adherence experts emphasised the impact
HCPs can play by regularly addressing the pervasive issue of adherence
in their clinical setting. HCPs can elicit behaviour change by
understanding the patient’s perspective, the complexity of adherence,
and communicating effectively. Structured approaches include using
tools, frameworks, and communication methods. Continuous training that
is clinically relevant and builds on existing professional expertise is
required to overcome HCPs’ own barriers to behaviour change.The findings
of this study guide the content and delivery of medication adherence
education and training to HCPs.